The role of microorganisms in wastewater treatment

Biological wastewater treatments employ microorganisms to remove organic matter from water. Organic matter or pollutants stem from number of sources, such as drainage systems or acid rain.

The use of microorganisms in wastewater treatment results in the following:

FOG (Fats, Oil and Grease) removal

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) reduction

COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) reduction

TSS (Total Suspended Solids) reduction

Odor elimination

How do bacteria remove pollutants from wastewater?

There are two primary methods that microorganisms employ when reducing the level of pollutants in wastewater. These are:

Aerobic – Aerobic digestion is a primary wastewater treatment process, used for the purification of wastewater into a more useful, environmentally friendly effluent. The process involves trillions of bacteria which rely on oxygen to survive and multiply. Microbes digest organic waste by stealing its oxygen, altering the chemical makeup of the material into a less environmentally damaging matter.

Anaerobic – Anaerobic digestion is the biological fermentation of organic matter. Organic materials are converted into biogas, which helps to reduce pollutants and contaminants from the water. Anaerobic treatments are used to alter the chemical composition of the organic material found in wastewater to make it more environmentally friendly.